NOSE BLEEDING

NOSE BLEEDING

Nose bleeding is also known as epitasis, it is common and not a very serious occurrence that demands you to be shifted to a hospital or rushed to the doctor on emergency.

Each one of us has had a nose bleed at some point of time or another. Infact, this is a very common ailment in people, though it’s mostly children who are seen to suffer from it more frequently. The nose lining contains various tiny blood vessels that tend to bleed quite easily. And there are a number of reasons responsible for encouraging a nose bleed in people.

Nose bleeds are often the result of common events, usually trauma, but nose bleeds can be a warning of other problems. Nose bleeds are caused by a small blood vessel rupturing. There are two main types of nose bleed, upper and lower septum nose bleeds.

In children, many doctors feel that nasal drying is a common cause of nose bleeds. Nasal drying is common in the winter during cold dry weather and in the summer with air-conditioning. If due to nasal drying, nose bleeds can sometimes be prevented by placing KY Jelly about 0.5 inches into the nose using a Q-tip. This should be done two to four times a day. Placing a humidifier in the home will also help. However, this will also promote the growth of molds and other allergens. Do not use Vaseline. Vaseline is petroleum-based and thus will dry, not moisten the nose.

Bleeding from the nose originating from sites other than the nasal mucosa is a common and serious occurrence in all species but particularly in the horse because of its implication for safety while racing. The passage of large amounts of blood suddenly is usually associated with pulmonary hemorrhage and is often fatal in horses and cattle. In horses this usually occurs during hardexercise . When the bleeding in the horse occurs at rest the origin is commonly from the guttural pouch and due to mycotic erosion of the blood vessels there.

Home Remedies For Nose Bleeding

To stop a nosebleed pinch the nose firmly (but not hard) at the bridge of your nose just below the bone. Do NOT lie down or tilt the head back, as this makes the blood go down your throat and will make you sick to your stomach. Hold this pinch for 2 -3 minutes until bleeding stops. Do NOT blow your nose. This will blow the clot out and make it start bleeding again.

Apple cider vinegar is useful in getting a nosebleed to stop. Apple cider vinegar safeguards the body from loss of blood. Soak a small cotton ball in the vinegar and pack it lightly into the nostril. The vinegar will help the blood to congeal.

Every time you breathe in air, it the job of the nose to ensure that the air that reaches lungs is well humidified. As such, when your surroundings are dry, your nose has to work extra hard. So it’s advised that you humidify the air with a good air humidifier.

Goldenseal Another herbal remedy is to make a tea from goldenseal using one teaspoon to a pint of boiling water. Steep a few minutes, let settle, and, when cold, snuff some into your nostrils. Do this several times during the day to prevent recurrence.

Take equal parts of Red sandalwood (Rakta Chandan), liquorice (Yashtimadhu) and Naagakesara and make a fine powder out of them. Add 2-3 pinches of this powder in a glass of milk and take it.

Before you begin to stop the nose bleed, blow your nose once forcefully. This will blow out any clot that is keeping the blood vessel in the nose lining open. Once the clot is out, the flexible fibers around that minute opening in the nose will itself contract.

Nose Bleeding Home Remedies with Lemon:

Lemon is a very good antiseptic and also helps in fast coagulation of the blood. Since lemon is very easily available in any household, it is an ideal remedy to stop nose bleeds.

Put a drop or two of lemon juice in the affected nose and the nose bleeding will stop immediately. If it continues even after that it may be a serious complication, consult your physician immediately.

Natural Treatments for Nose Bleeding with Salt Water:

Salt water is an ideal remedy for common nose bleeds.
In case of nose bleeding due to dryness, put a pinch of salt in water and spray the saline water on your nose. The natural anti coagulant properties of salt help curb nose bleeding and the dehumidifying effect of the salt-water arrests drying of the mucous membrane.

Remember these two simple remedies. Salt water and lemon juice are the very easily available in any household.

Nose bleedings can be very anxious moments, now just remember these two remedies and you do not have to suffer from nose bleedings.

Incase of occasional nose bleed, there are a number of home remedies to stop it.

· Before you begin to stop the nose bleed, blow your nose once forcefully. This will blow out any clot that is keeping the blood vessel in the nose lining open. Once the clot is out, the flexible fibers around that minute opening in the nose will itself contract.

• At times, the act of blowing the nose accompanied by application of a little bit of pressure is sufficient for stopping the nose bleed.




• You can also cap the bleeding side with wet cotton. Keep a nasal spray at home for this purpose. Incase you do not have cotton handy, use simple sterilized gauze instead. You can take the cotton or the gauze out after 10 to 15 minutes.




• Sit straight whenever you have a nose bleed. This is because if you recline or tilt your head back, the blood may run towards and into your throat instead of tickling down the nose.




• You can try holding an ice pack alongside the nose area. The cold will cause the blood vessels in the nose lining to constrict and lessen bleeding.




• Do not pick your nose when it is bleeding. Otherwise, it will take seven to 10 days for the rupture in the nose’s blood vessel to heal completely.




• Apply an antibiotic / steroid ointment.




• Watch your aspirin intake. Aspirin can interfere with clotting. If you're prone to nosebleeds, experts advise that you not take unnecessary aspirin.




• Get your blood pressure checked. Persons with hypertension are prone to having nosebleeds.




• Every time you breathe in air, it the job of the nose to ensure that the air that reaches lungs is well humidified. As such, when your surroundings are dry, your nose has to work extra hard. So it’s advised that you humidify the air with a good air humidifier.




• Be cautious in selecting oral contraceptives. Estrogen controls the production of mucus in the body and anything altering the estrogen levels makes one more prone to nosebleeds. Some types of oral contraceptives also tend to affect this balance.




• Do not smoke

MYOCLONUS

Symptoms, Causes, Tests & Diagnosis and Treatment & Drugs

Definition

Myoclonus refers to a quick, involuntary muscle jerk. For example, hiccups are a form of myoclonus. So are the sudden jerks, or "sleep starts," you may experience just before falling asleep. These forms of myoclonus occur in healthy people and rarely present a problem.

More severe types of myoclonus can be triggered by an underlying medical condition, such as a head injury or a reaction to a medication.

For effective treatment, you need to discover what's causing your myoclonus symptoms. If the cause of your myoclonus is chronic or unexplained, then treatment focuses on reducing the effects of myoclonus on your quality of life.

Symptoms

The muscle jerks associated with myoclonus are:

• Sudden
  
• Involuntary
  
• Shock-like
  
• Variable in intensity and frequency
  
• Often limited to one muscle, or initially limited to a group of muscles before spreading to other areas
  
• Sometimes severe enough to interfere with eating, talking or walking

When to see a doctor

If your myoclonus symptoms become frequent and persistent, talk to your doctor for further evaluation and proper diagnosis and treatment.

Causes

Myoclonus may be caused by a variety of problems, including:

• Head or spinal cord injury or infections
  
• Strokes
  
• Brain tumors
  
• Kidney or liver failure
  
• Chemical or drug poisoning
  
• Prolonged oxygen deprivation
  
• Multiple sclerosis
  
• Epilepsy
  
• Parkinson's disease
  
• Alzheimer's disease
  
• Metabolic problems

Preparing for your appointment

You'll probably first discuss your concerns with your family doctor, who may decide to refer you to a neurologist. Because appointments can be brief, it's a good idea to come prepared to make the best use of the time allotted.

What you can do

• Write down a list of your symptoms, noting if there's anything that seems to trigger them or make them better.
  
• Take a list of all your medications, including any vitamins or supplements.
  
• Compile a list of questions for your doctor, asking about possible causes, treatments and prognosis.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor will ask you to describe your myoclonus symptoms in detail. He or she may also ask if you have a history of:

• Seizures
  
• Any other neurological problems
  
• Drug or chemical exposure
  
• Other medical problems
  
• Family members with a similar problem or epilepsy

Your doctor may try to provoke your myoclonus symptoms, so he or she can see how many muscle groups are involved and if there are any other neurological abnormalities that occur at the same time.

Tests and diagnosis

Determining the cause of myoclonus usually is a process of elimination. To rule out potential causes, your doctor may recommend the following types of tests:

Electroencephalogra phy (EEG)

This procedure records the electrical activity of your brain and may help determine from which part of the brain the myoclonus appears to originate. EEGs are painless and take less than an hour. Small electrodes are attached to your scalp with paste or an elastic cap. You may be asked to breathe deeply and steadily for several minutes or to stare at a patterned board. At times a light may be flashed in your eyes.

Electromyography (EMG)

This test measures the electrical discharges produced in muscles. Very fine wire electrodes are inserted into the muscles your doctor wants to study. This may be uncomfortable, but most people are able to complete the test. An instrument records the electrical activity from your muscle at rest and as you contract the muscle, such as by bending your arm. These signals help determine if there's damage to the muscle or to the nerves leading to the muscle. The test takes at least an hour to complete.

MRI

This scan may be used to check for such things as structural problems or tumors inside your skull, which may be causing your myoclonus symptoms. MRIs use radio waves and a powerful magnet to produce detailed images of internal organs. The scan itself is noisy but painless, although some people experience claustrophobic feelings.

Laboratory tests

Your doctor may want to test your blood or urine for evidence of:

• Metabolic imbalances
  
• Autoimmune disease
  
• Diabetes
  
• Kidney or liver disease
  
• Drugs or toxins

Treatments and drugs

Treatment of myoclonus is most effective when a reversible underlying cause can be found — such as a medication or toxin that can be discontinued or "flushed out" of your body. There are no drugs specifically designed to treat myoclonus, but doctors have borrowed from other disease treatment arsenals to relieve myoclonic symptoms.

Medications

Medications that doctors commonly prescribe for myoclonus include:

• Tranquilizers. Clonazepam (Klonopin) is the most common drug used to combat myoclonus symptoms.
  
• Anticonvulsants. Drugs used to control epileptic seizures have also proved helpful in reducing myoclonus symptoms. The most common anticonvulsants used for myoclonus are divalproex sodium (Depakote), primidone (Mysoline) and levetiracetam (Keppra).




• Immunosuppressants. These may be used to treat specialized forms of myoclonus that occur only in children. They may include adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), azathioprine (Imuran), corticosteroids or immunoglobulin therapy (IVIg).

Therapies

Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections may be helpful in treating various forms of myoclonus, particularly if only a single area is affected. Botulinum toxins block the release of a chemical messenger that triggers muscle contractions.

Surgery

If your myoclonus symptoms are caused by a tumor or lesion in your brain or spinal cord, surgery may be an option.

STRABISMUS

Causes, Symptoms & Treatment for Strabismus

Strabismus, more commonly known as cross-eyed or wall-eyed , is a vision condition in which a person can not align both eyes simultaneously under normal conditions. Strabismus can be either a disorder of the brain coordinating the eyes or a disorder of one or more muscles, as in any process that causes a dysfunction of the usual direction and power of the muscle or muscles. Different types of strabismus include crossed eyes, out-turned eyes, or vertical misalignment. The term is used to describe eyes that are not straight or properly aligned. Even though the images are slightly different, the brain interprets them as one. Strabismus can occur early in childhood or later in adulthood, although the causes of the eye misalignment are different. In the past, most eye doctors thought that adults with misaligned eyes could not be treated successfully, or that treatment was "only cosmetic".

Strabismus is a deviation of the eyes. Strabismus is commonly known as crossed eyes, wandering eyes or floating eyes. Strabismus in adults can also result from illnesses, such as thyroid disease, or from an eye injury. If vision is reduced, the brain of the child will learn to recognize the stronger image and ignore the weaker image of the amblyopic eye. Strabismus is associated with reduction of depth perception and if onset is in adulthood, double vision. Furthermore, strabismus presents a cosmetic concern especially for school-age children. In addition to problems with vision, strabismus affects appearance and communication because it diminishes one's ability to make eye contact, which can become a disadvantage in both personal and professional livelihood. At Children's Hospital Boston, pediatric ophthalmologists who specialize in the delicate eye muscle surgery required to fix strabismus see both children and adults.

Causes of Strabismus

Common causes and risk factor's of Strabismus include the following :

• Family member with strabismus.
  
• Diabetes.
  
• Squint is caused by a lack of coordination between the eyes, causing the eyes to point in different directions and the eyes do not focus simultaneously on a single point.
  
• Most cases of strabismus in children are of unknown cause.
  
• Squint in adults may result from injuries to the orbit or brain, including closed head injuries and strokes.
  
• Loss of vision in one eye from any cause will usually cause the eye to gradually turn outward.
  
• Persons with diabetes may suffer with squint due to poor blood supply to the eye muscles.

Symptoms of Strabismus

Some of the common sign and symptoms of the disease Strabismus are as follows:

• Eyes that appear crossed.
  
• Uncoordinated eye movements.
  
• Double vision.
  
• Vision in only one eye, with loss of depth perception.
  
• Turned or crossed eye.
  
• Head tilt or turn.
  
• Squinting.
  
• Double vision .
  
• Crossed eyes.

Treatment of Strabismus

Find effective treatment methods of treating Strabismus :

• Glasses or contact lenses may be prescribed to improve your ability to focus and help overcome poor vision. With better eyesight, strabismus may improve.
  
• Vision training (also called eye exercises)
  
• Eye drops or ointment may be put in the good eye to blur the vision (usually by making the pupil large and preventing the eye from focusing well). This forces the affected eye to fixate properly and may be used as a substitute for patching.
  
• In rare cases, injections of botulinum toxin may also be used to treat strabismus.
  
• The squint is treated by surgery . A tight muscle is surgically loosened by moving the muscle back on the eye. A weak muscle is strengthened by removing a small segment of the muscle to shorten it. Depending on the severity of the strabismus, surgery may involve the straight eye, the misaligned eye or both.

IMPACTED WISDOM TEETH

Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, Tests & Diagnosis, Complications,Treatments & Drugs and Coping & Support for

IMPACTED WISDOM TEETH - Akal Dant

Definition

Wisdom teeth that become impacted can cause a variety of problems, from nuisance pain to serious dental disorders. Impacted wisdom teeth often must be surgically removed.

Wisdom teeth are your third molars that are way in the back of your mouth. You usually have four wisdom teeth, one in each corner of your mouth - two on top, two on bottom. Wisdom teeth are the last of your teeth to come in, or erupt through the gums. They normally emerge between ages 17 and 25.

Wisdom teeth often aren't able to emerge normally and instead become impacted, or trapped within your jaw. Understanding more about impacted wisdom teeth can help you decide how and when to treat them and how to prevent related complications.

Symptoms

You may never experience problems with your wisdom teeth. They may emerge normally and be trouble-free for the rest of your life. Or, you may have impacted wisdom teeth but remain blissfully unaware, since they don't always cause signs and symptoms.

Common signs and symptoms of impacted wisdom teeth include:

• Pain or tenderness around your gums
  
• Swelling around your jaw
  
• Red or swollen gums around the impacted tooth
  
• Jaw pain
  
• Bad breath
  
• Unpleasant taste when biting down on or near the area
  
• Prolonged headache or jaw ache

Causes

Early humans needed wisdom teeth and larger jaws to handle a tougher diet. Today's humans typically have smaller jaws and little use for wisdom teeth. That often means problems as your wisdom teeth begin to emerge. Having pesky wisdom teeth surgically extracted seems almost a rite of passage for teens and young adults.

Wisdom teeth develop like your other teeth. But they take the longest to develop and are the last teeth to emerge. Any tooth can become impacted. Because wisdom teeth must fight for space with teeth that have already emerged, they're the teeth most likely to become impacted.

At about age 9, the crown of a wisdom tooth begins to form in a small sac inside your jaw. Over time, the tooth grows and the roots become more firmly planted in the jawbone. By your early 20s, the crown of a wisdom tooth should fully emerge from your gum. By your 40s, the roots of your wisdom teeth are solidly planted within the dense bone of the jaw.

But wisdom teeth often don't follow this normal development pattern. Today's smaller jaws simply may not have room for this last set of molars to grow properly. So the wisdom teeth may become impacted.

The cramped wisdom teeth struggle for a path to grow and emerge. They grow at various angles in the jaw, sometimes even horizontally. Sometimes, a wisdom tooth partially emerges through the gums. Other times, it remains completely hidden.

Risk factors

Having a small jawbone may make you more prone to having impacted wisdom teeth. But otherwise, there are no particular biological or environmental risk factors that make you more likely than someone else to have impacted wisdom teeth.

When to seek medical advice

If you notice pain or swelling in your mouth, teeth, gums or jaw, contact your dentist right away. Also contact your dentist if you notice any changes in your teeth, such as shifting of position, discoloration or changes in sensitivity.

Tests and diagnosis

Your dentist can evaluate your teeth and mouth to determine if you have impacted wisdom teeth or if another condition is causing your problems. Such evaluations typically include:

• Your dental and medical history
  
• A dental exam
  
• Dental X-rays

Complications

Impacted wisdom teeth that aren't removed can cause numerous problems. These problems include:

• Gum disease. Bacteria and food can become trapped under a flap of gum that can grow over wisdom teeth, creating infections. Gum disease may be initially mild (gingivitis) or progress to a more severe form (periodontitis) .

• Crowding. A wisdom tooth can push on other teeth, damaging them or moving them out of position.

• Decay. Because they're hard to reach, wisdom teeth may not get fully cleaned during brushing, making them vulnerable to decay and cavities.
• 
  Cysts. The crown of a wisdom tooth grows in a sac. If the sac remains in the jawbone, it can fill with fluid, forming a cyst that can damage the jawbone, teeth and nerves. Very rarely a tumor, usually benign, also may develop, which may require removal of tissue and bone.

Treatments and drugs

Impacted wisdom teeth don't always need to be surgically removed. You have two main treatment options, depending on the severity of your situation and other factors. They are:

• Conservative treatment
  
• Surgical extraction

Conservative treatment

If impacted widsom teeth aren't causing problems, you and your dentist may choose to simply monitor them. People who can't have their teeth removed because of certain health problems such as a bleeding disorder also need to choose conservative treatment.

Under guidance from your dentist or oral surgeon, you may be able to care for your impacted wisdom teeth and minor problems using mouthwashes, saltwater rinses and over-the-counter pain relievers. If complications arise or worsen, surgery might become an option.

Surgical extraction

Experts agree that when an impacted wisdom tooth causes complications, it should be extracted to prevent further problems.

Some experts say that impacted wisdom teeth should always be removed, even if they aren't causing problems. The belief is that the impacted tooth will eventually cause problems, and that it's better to remove it when someone is younger and more likely to recover faster from surgery. This is why many teenagers or young adults have their wisdom teeth extracted even before the teeth start causing problems. In addition, if a child might require braces, his or her dentist may recommend extraction of the wisdom teeth first.

There's no scientific evidence to recommend for or against extracting impacted wisdom teeth in adults or adolescents if the teeth aren't causing complications. You and your dentist can evaluate your situation to see which treatment option is best for you or your child.

Extracting an impacted wisdom tooth

Extraction of impacted wisdom teeth often can be done in your dentist's office with local anesthesia. However, if the tooth is deeply impacted or if the extraction may be difficult, your dentist may suggest that you consult with an oral surgeon. Sometimes extractions are done in the hospital. You may need general anesthesia for more complicated extractions.

To reach the impacted tooth, an incision is made in your gum. The incision creates a flap of gum, which can be peeled back to expose the impacted tooth and jawbone.

An impacted wisdom tooth that has partially emerged may be removed with forceps. But if the tooth is fully impacted or if the roots reach deep into the jawbone, the tooth may have to be broken into pieces for removal. In more severe cases, portions of jawbone may be removed.

You may need stitches to close the gap in your gum. The socket where your tooth was located is packed with gauze to control bleeding and to help a clot form, which promotes healing.

Care after surgery

Your dentist or oral surgeon gives you specific instructions about caring for your mouth after extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth. Here are general tips about care after oral surgery:

• Activity. Plan to rest for the remainder of the day after surgery. Limit strenuous physical activities. If you are a smoker, don't smoke for at least the first 24 hours after surgery, as doing this may disrupt the blood clot in the socket.

• Diet. Drink lots of clear liquids and eat only soft foods for the first 12 hours. If you had several teeth removed, stick to a diet of soft foods for the first few days. Don't use straws, as doing so can dislodge the clot that forms in the tooth socket. Avoid hard or crunchy foods, such as popcorn, for two weeks after surgery.
• 
  Pain management. If your pain is severe you may need a prescription pain medication during the first few days after surgery. Or you may find that you can manage your pain with over-the-counter pain relievers. Applying ice packs — a bag of frozen peas or corn works nicely — also may help control pain, as well as swelling.

• Bleeding. Some oozing of blood is normal for the first day after removal of your impacted wisdom tooth. Swallow blood-tinged saliva instead of spitting it out, to avoid dislodging the socket clot. Get instructions from your dentist or surgeon about replacing the gauze packing. Remember that when blood mixes with saliva, the amount of blood loss can look worse than it actually is.

• Swelling and bruising. Swelling of your cheeks and jaw is normal after surgery. You can use ice packs to help control swelling. Swelling normally begins to subside by the third day. Some dentists give an injection of a steroid during the surgery to help minimize swelling. Swelling may make it a bit difficult to open your mouth fully, but this normally improves on its own. You may also have some bruising around your jaw or upper neck.

• Cleaning your mouth. The day after surgery, rinse your mouth gently with warm salt water at least six times a day. Mix 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) of table salt in 8 ounces (237 milliliters) of water. Brush your teeth, but be very gentle in the area around your surgery.

Complications of extraction

Recovery after the removal of impacted wisdom teeth is usually quick and without problem. However, complications can arise. Your dentist or surgeon will advise you about signs and symptoms to watch for, such as fever and increasing pain.

Other complications can include:

• Numbness, usually temporary, of your teeth, gums, tongue and chin
  
• Dry socket when the socket clot dislodges, exposing underlying bone
  
• Infection from bacteria or trapped food particles
  
• Sinus problems if teeth near the sinuses were removed
  
• Weakening of the jawbone from bone removal or damage

Coping and support

A visit to the dentist may cause so much anxiety that you can't get yourself to go, despite the pain you're experiencing. The thought of having a tooth extracted may be overwhelming. But if you're having problems related to an impacted wisdom tooth, delaying care could lead to serious and permanent problems.

Make sure you have a dentist who is sympathetic and willing to help relieve your fears. Talk to your dentist about your concerns. Don't be embarrassed about your anxiety — it's common, especially when you must have a dental procedure that can be uncomfortable.

Many dentists offer ways to ease your anxiety, such as listening to music or watching videos. You may be able to bring along a supportive family member or friend. You can also learn relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and imagery. If you have severe anxiety, talk to your doctor about medications that may help. And of course, you may be able to opt for full sedation during the procedure itself, so you're unconscious through it all.

PANCREATIC CANCER

Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, Tests & Diagnosis, Complications, Treatment & Drugs, Prevention, Coping & Support and Alternative Medicines for Cancer in Pancreas

Definition

Pancreatic cancer begins in the tissues of your pancreas — a large organ that lies horizontally behind the lower part of your stomach. Your pancreas secretes enzymes that aid digestion and hormones that help regulate the metabolism of sugars.

Pancreatic cancer often has a poor prognosis, even when diagnosed early. Pancreatic cancer typically spreads rapidly and is seldom detected in its early stages, which is a major reason why it's a leading cause of cancer death. Signs and symptoms may not appear until pancreatic cancer is quite advanced and surgical removal isn't possible.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer often don't occur until the disease is advanced. When signs and symptoms do appear, they may include:

• Upper abdominal pain that may radiate to your back
  
• Yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes (jaundice)
  
• Loss of appetite
  
• Weight loss
  
• Depression

Causes

Pancreatic cancer occurs when cells in your pancreas develop genetic mutations. These mutations cause the cells to grow uncontrollably and to continue living after normal cells would die. These accumulating cells can form a tumor.

Understanding your pancreas

Your pancreas is about 6 inches (15 centimeters) long and looks something like a pear lying on its side. The pancreas is a crucial part of your digestive system. It secretes hormones, including insulin, to help your body process sugar. And it produces digestive juices to help your body digest food.

Types of pancreatic cancer

The types of cells involved in a pancreatic cancer help determine the best treatment.

Types of pancreatic cancer include:

• 
  Cancer that forms in the pancreas ducts (adenocarcinoma) . Cells that line the ducts of the pancreas help produce digestive juices. The majority of pancreatic cancers are adenocarcinomas. Sometimes these cancers are called exocrine tumors.

• Cancer that forms in the hormone-producing cells. Cancer that forms in the hormone-producing cells of the pancreas is called endocrine cancer. Endocrine cancers of the pancreas are very rare.

Risk factors

Factors that may increase your risk of pancreatic cancer include:

• Smoking.
  
• Being overweight or obese.
  
• Personal or family history of chronic inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) .
  
• Personal or family history of pancreatic cancer.
  
• Family history of genetic syndromes that can increase cancer risk, including a BRCA2 gene mutation, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, Lynch syndrome and familial atypical mole-malignant melanoma (FAMMM).
  
• Older age. Pancreatic cancer occurs most often in older adults. Most people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer are in their 70s and 80s.
  
• Being black. Pancreatic cancer occurs more frequently in blacks than in whites.

When to seek medical advice

See your doctor if you experience an unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, jaundice, or other signs and symptoms that bother you. Many diseases and conditions other than cancer may cause similar signs and symptoms, so your doctor will check for these conditions as well as for pancreatic cancer.

Tests and diagnosis

Researchers are studying ways to detect pancreatic cancer early. However, it isn't clear who should undergo screening and which screening tests may most reliably find pancreatic cancer in its earliest stages. Currently no standard screening exists for pancreatic cancer.

Diagnosing pancreatic cancer

If your doctor suspects pancreatic cancer, you may have one or more of the following tests to diagnose the cancer:

• Ultrasound. Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create moving images of your internal organs, including your pancreas. The ultrasound sensor (transducer) is placed on your upper abdomen to obtain images.
• 
  Computerized tomography (CT) scan. CT scan uses X-ray images to help your doctor visualize your internal organs. In some cases you may receive an injection of dye into a vein in your arm to help highlight the areas your doctor wants to see.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI uses a powerful magnetic field and radio waves to create images of your pancreas.

• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatog raphy (ERCP). This procedure uses a dye to highlight the bile ducts in your pancreas. During ERCP, a thin, flexible tube (endoscope) is gently passed down your throat, through your stomach and into the upper part of your small intestine. Air is used to inflate your intestinal tract so that your doctor can more easily see the openings of your pancreatic and bile ducts. A dye is then injected into the ducts through a small hollow tube (catheter) that's passed through the endoscope. Finally, X-rays are taken of the ducts. A tissue or cell sample (biopsy) can be collected during ERCP.

• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). EUS uses an ultrasound device to make images of your pancreas from inside your abdomen. The ultrasound device is passed through an endoscope into your stomach in order to obtain the images. Your doctor may also collect a sample of cells (biopsy) during EUS.

• Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTC). PTC involves injecting a dye into your liver to highlight your bile ducts. Your doctor carefully inserts a thin needle into your liver and injects the dye into the bile ducts in your liver. A special X-ray machine (fluoroscope) tracks the dye as it moves through the ducts.

• Biopsy. During a biopsy, your doctor obtains a small sample of tissue from the pancreas for examination under a microscope. A biopsy sample can be obtained by inserting a needle through your skin and into your pancreas (fine-needle aspiration). Or it can be done using endoscopic ultrasound to guide special tools into your pancreas where a sample of cells can be obtained for testing.

Staging pancreatic cancer

Once a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer is confirmed, your doctor will work to determine the extent, or stage, of the cancer. Your cancer's stage helps determine what treatments are available to you. In order to determine the stage of your pancreatic cancer, your doctor may recommend:

• Laparoscopy. Laparoscopy uses a lighted tube with a video camera to explore your pancreas and surrounding tissue. The surgeon passes the laparoscope through an incision in your abdomen. The camera on the end of the scope transmits video to a screen in the operating room. This allows your doctor to look for signs cancer has spread within your abdomen.

• Chest X-ray. A chest X-ray helps your doctor look for signs that cancer has spread to your lungs.

• CT scan. CT scans allow your doctor to see your pancreas and assess whether the cancer has spread to nearby tissues, lymph nodes or other organs.

• MRI. MRI images may show if the cancer has spread beyond the pancreas.

• Positron emission tomography (PET) scan. PET scans use a radioactive tracer injected into a vein in order to help your doctor look for areas where cancer has spread beyond the pancreas. PET scans aren't typically used for pancreatic cancer, but they may offer another way to examine unusual areas found with a CT scan or MRI.

• Bone scan. Bone scans use radioactive tracers to look for evidence that cancer cells have spread to your bones.

• Blood test. Your doctor may test your blood for specific proteins (tumor markers) shed by pancreatic cancer cells. One tumor marker test used in pancreatic cancer is called CA19-9. Some research indicates that the more elevated your level of CA19-9 is, the more advanced the cancer. But the test isn't always reliable, and it isn't clear how best to use the CA19-9 test results. Some doctors measure your levels before, during and after treatment. Others use it to gauge your prognosis.

Stages of pancreatic cancer

The stages of pancreatic cancer can be expressed in different ways. One description of the stages uses three broad categories:

• Resectable. All the tumor nodules can be removed.
  
• Locally advanced. The tumor can no longer be removed with surgery because the cancer has spread to tissues around the pancreas or into the blood vessels.
  
• Metastatic. At this stage, the cancer has spread to distant organs, such as the lungs and liver.

Another description of the stages uses numerals:

• Stage I. Cancer is confined to the pancreas.
  
• Stage II. Cancer has spread beyond the pancreas to nearby tissues and organs and may have spread to the lymph nodes.
  
• Stage III. Cancer has spread beyond the pancreas to the major blood vessels around the pancreas and may have spread to the lymph nodes.
  
• Stage IV. Cancer has spread to distant sites beyond the pancreas, such as the liver, lungs and the lining that surrounds your abdominal organs (peritoneum) .

Complications

As pancreatic cancer progresses, it can cause complications such as:

• Jaundice. Pancreatic cancer that blocks the liver's bile duct can cause jaundice. Signs include yellow skin and eyes, dark-colored urine and very pale stools.
  
  
  Your doctor may recommend that a plastic or metal tube (stent) be placed inside the bile duct to hold it open. In some cases a bypass may be needed to create a new way for bile to flow from the liver to the intestines.
  
  
• Pain. A growing tumor may press on nerves in your abdomen, causing pain that can become severe. Pain medications can help you feel more comfortable. Radiation therapy may help stop tumor growth temporarily to give you some relief.
• In severe cases, your doctor may recommend a procedure to inject alcohol into the nerves that control pain in your abdomen (celiac plexus block). This procedure stops the nerves from sending pain signals to your brain.
  
  
• Bowel obstruction. Pancreatic cancer that grows into or presses on the small intestine (duodenum) can block the flow of digested food from your stomach into your intestines.
  
  
  Your doctor may recommend a tube (stent) be placed in your small intestine to hold it open. Or bypass surgery may be necessary to attach your stomach to a lower point in your intestines that isn't blocked by cancer.
  
  
• Weight loss. A number of factors may cause weight loss in people with pancreatic cancer. Nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatments or a tumor pressing on your stomach may make it difficult to eat. Or your body may have difficulty properly processing nutrients from food because your pancreas isn't making enough digestive juices.
  
  
  Your doctor will work to correct the factors contributing to your weight loss. Pancreatic enzyme supplements may be recommended to aid in digestion. Try to maintain your weight by adding extra calories where you can and making mealtime as pleasant and relaxed as possible.
  
  
• Death. Pancreatic cancer leads to death for most people diagnosed with the disease. Even people diagnosed when their cancer is at an early stage face a high risk of recurrence and death.

Treatments and drugs

Treatment for pancreatic cancer depends on the stage and location of the cancer as well as on your age, overall health and personal preferences. The first goal of pancreatic cancer treatment is to eliminate the cancer, when possible. When that isn't an option, the focus may be on preventing the pancreatic cancer from growing or causing more harm. When pancreatic cancer is advanced and treatments aren't likely to offer a benefit, your doctor may suggest ways to relieve symptoms and make you as comfortable as possible.

Surgery

Only a small portion of pancreatic cancers are considered resectable — that is, they have a good chance of being removed completely with surgery. Once the cancer has spread beyond the pancreas to other organs, lymph nodes or blood vessels, surgery is usually no longer an option. When surgery is possible, your surgeon may recommend:

• Surgery for tumors in the pancreatic head. If your pancreatic cancer is located in the head of the pancreas, you may consider an operation called a Whipple procedure (pancreatoduodenect omy). The Whipple procedure involves removing the head of your pancreas, as well as a portion of your small intestine (duodenum), your gallbladder and part of your bile duct. Part of your stomach may be removed as well. Your surgeon reconnects the remaining parts of your pancreas, stomach and intestines to allow you to digest food.
  
  
• Whipple surgery carries a risk of infection and bleeding. It can cause temporary diabetes until your pancreas recovers from surgery. And some people experience nausea and vomiting that can occur if the stomach has difficulty emptying after surgery (delayed gastric emptying). Expect a long recovery after a Whipple procedure. You'll spend 10 days or more in the hospital and then recover for several more weeks at home.
  
  
• Surgery for tumors in the pancreatic tail and body. Surgery to remove the tail of the pancreas or the tail and a small portion of the body is called distal pancreatectomy. Your surgeon may also remove your spleen. Surgery carries a risk of bleeding and infection.

Research shows pancreatic cancer surgery tends to cause fewer complications when done by experienced surgeons. Don't hesitate to ask about your surgeon's experience with pancreatic cancer surgery. If you have any doubts, get a second opinion.

Radiation therapy

Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells. You may receive radiation treatments before or after cancer surgery, often in combination with chemotherapy. Or, your doctor may recommend a combination of radiation and chemotherapy treatments when your cancer can't be treated surgically.

Radiation therapy can come from a machine outside your body (external beam radiation), or it can be placed inside your body near your cancer (brachytherapy) . Radiation therapy can also be used during surgery (intraoperative radiation).

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy uses drugs to help kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be injected into a vein or taken orally. You may receive only one chemotherapy drug, or you may receive a combination of chemotherapy drugs.

Chemotherapy can also be combined with radiation therapy (chemoradiation) . Chemoradiation is typically used to treat cancer that has spread beyond the pancreas, but only to nearby organs and not to distant regions of the body. This combination may also be used after surgery to reduce the risk that pancreatic cancer may recur.

In people with advanced pancreatic cancer, chemotherapy may be combined with targeted drug therapy.

Targeted drug therapy

Targeted drug therapy is an emerging area of cancer treatment. Targeted drugs attack specific abnormalities within cancer cells. The targeted drug erlotinib (Tarceva) blocks chemicals that signal cancer cells to grow and divide. Erlotinib is usually combined with chemotherapy for use in people with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Many other targeted drug treatments are under investigation in clinical trials. One such drug being studied is cetuximab (Erbitux), which targets the same signals as erlotinib but goes about it a different way.

Clinical trials

Clinical trials are studies to test new forms of treatment, such as new drugs, new approaches to surgery or radiation treatments, and novel methods such as gene therapy. If the treatment being studied proves to be safer or more effective than are current treatments, it will become the new standard of care.

Clinical trials can't guarantee a cure, and they may have serious or unexpected side effects. On the other hand, cancer clinical trials are closely monitored by the federal government to ensure they're conducted as safely as possible. And they offer access to treatments that wouldn't otherwise be available to you.

Talk to your doctor about what clinical trials are available and whether these may be appropriate for you.

New treatments currently under investigation in clinical trials include:

• Drugs that stop cancer from growing new blood vessels. Drugs called angiogenesis inhibitors may help stop cancer from using new blood vessels to get the nutrients it needs to grow. Blood vessels also give cancer cells a pathway to spread to other parts of the body.
  
• Pancreatic cancer vaccines. Cancer vaccines are being studied to treat cancer, rather than prevent disease, as vaccines are traditionally used. Cancer treatment vaccines use various strategies to enhance the immune system to help it recognize cancer cells as intruders. In one example, a vaccine may help train the immune system to attack a certain protein secreted by pancreatic cancer cells.

Prevention

Although there's no proven way to prevent pancreatic cancer, you can take steps to reduce your risk, including:

• Quit smoking. If you smoke, quit. Talk to your doctor about ways to help you quit, including support groups, medications and nicotine replacement therapy. If you don't smoke, don't start.
  
• Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight increases your risk of pancreatic cancer. If you need to lose weight, aim for a slow, steady weight loss — 1 or 2 pounds (0.5 or 1 kilogram) a week. Combine daily exercise with a plant-focused diet with smaller portions to help you lose weight.
  
• Exercise regularly. Aim for 30 minutes of exercise on most days. If you're not used to exercising, start out slowly and work up to your goal.
  
• Eat a healthy diet. A diet full of colorful fruits and vegetables and whole grains is good for you, and may help reduce your risk of cancer.

Coping and support

Learning you have a life-threatening illness can be devastating. But coping with a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer can be especially difficult because the disease is nearly always fatal. As a result, you may feel overwhelmed just when you need to make crucial decisions.

Although there are no easy answers for people dealing with pancreatic cancer, some of the following suggestions may help:

• Learn all you can about your illness. Learn everything you can about pancreatic cancer and your treatment options. Ask your doctor about good sources of further information. Seek a second opinion and explore treatments available through clinical trials. You will have many decisions to make in the weeks and months ahead. The more you know, the more active a role you can take in the decision-making process.

• Maintain a strong support system. Strong relationships are crucial to dealing with life-threatening illnesses. Although friends and family can be your best allies, in some cases they have difficulty coping with the shock of your diagnosis. In these cases, talking with a counselor, medical social worker, pastoral or religious counselor, or even a formal support group for people with cancer can be helpful. You may also find strength and encouragement in being with people who are facing the same challenges you are.
• Come to terms with your illness. Coming to terms with the fact that your pancreatic cancer will likely be fatal can be difficult. For some people, having a strong faith or a sense of something greater than themselves makes this process easier. Others seek counseling from someone who understands life-threatening illnesses, such as a medical social worker, psychologist or chaplain. Many people also take steps to ensure that their end-of-life wishes are known and respected.
• 
  
  A great fear of many people with a life-threatening illness is being subjected to treatments they don't want or spending their last weeks or months in a hospital away from loved ones and familiar surroundings. The welcome news is that many choices exist for people with a terminal illness.
  
  
  Hospice care, for example, provides a special course of treatment to terminally ill people. This allows family and friends — with the aid of nurses, social workers and trained volunteers — to care for and comfort a loved one at home or in hospice residences. It also provides emotional, social and spiritual support for people who are ill and those closest to them. Although most people under hospice care remain in their own homes, the program is available anywhere — including nursing homes and assisted living centers. For people who stay in a hospital, palliative care specialists can provide comfort, compassionate care and dignity.
  
  
  Although it can be extremely difficult, discuss end-of-life issues with your family and medical team. Part of this discussion will likely involve advance directives — a general term for oral and written instructions you give concerning your medical care should you become unable to speak for yourself.
  
  
  One type of advance directive is known as a durable medical power of attorney (POA) for health care. In this case, you sign a legal document authorizing a person you respect and trust to make legally binding medical decisions for you if you're unable to do so. A POA is often recommended because the appointed person can make decisions in situations not covered in a regular advance directive. Whatever you decide, it's important to put your wishes in writing. Laws regarding advance directives and POAs vary from state to state, but a written document is more likely to be respected.

Alternative medicine

If you've been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you may want to try every treatment available to cure your cancer. Many people with cancer turn to complementary and alternative medicine when conventional medicine offers little chance for a cure. No complementary or alternative treatments have been found to treat pancreatic cancer.

But complementary and alternative medicine treatments may help with signs and symptoms you experience due to your cancer or cancer treatments. Talk to your doctor about your options. Examples of options that might help include:

• Acupuncture
  
• Massage
  
• Meditation
  
• Relaxation techniques

GALL BLADDER DISORDERS

Causes, Diet, Home Remedies and Herbal Remedies

The gallbladder is a little pear-shaped pouch tucked behind the lobes of the liver. Its main job is to store up the cholesterol- rich bile that's secreted by the liver. Bile helps your body digest fatty foods. So when that piece of prime rib reaches the intestines, they send a message up to the gallbladder to send some bile their way. Once the bile saturates your steak, it becomes more digestible and easily makes its way through the rest of the digestive process.

At least that's the way things should work. But the reality is that many people, especially older people and women, will have some gallbladder trouble. Ninety percent of the time that trouble is in the form of gallstones. Gallstones form when the bile contains excessive amounts of cholesterol. When there isn't enough bile to saturate the cholesterol, the cholesterol begins to crystallize, and you get a gallstone. These tough bits can be as tiny as a grain of sand or as large as a golf ball. You may not even know you have gallstones unless you happen to have an ultrasound or X ray of your tummy. But the 20 percent of the time that gallstones do cause problems, it's excruciatingly painful.

Gallstones become a problem when they get pushed out of the gallbladder and into the tube that connects the liver and the small intestine. The tube gets blocked, and you get 20 minutes to 4 hours of indescribable agony. Pain usually radiates from your upper right abdominal area to your lower right chest, and it can even leave your shoulder and back in agony. Gallstones typically fall back into the gallbladder or make their way through the duct, leaving you feeling better. After you have an attack, you'll probably be sore and wonder what in the world happened.

Sometimes, though, the gallstones can get stuck in the bile duct. Symptoms of a stuck gallstone include chills, vomiting, and possibly jaundice in addition to the pain described above.

Who's at Risk?

Pregnancy, obesity, diabetes, liver disease, a sedentary lifestyle, a high fat diet, and certain forms of anemia can all increase the risk of gallstones. People who are overweight and lose and gain weight repeatedly are more susceptible to gallstones, as are women who have had two or more children. Lack of exercise is a significant contributor to the development of gallstones. In fact, according to the Nurses' Health Study, inactivity can actually account for more than half of the risk of developing gallstones. Women are twice as likely as men to develop gallstones, although the reasons are unclear. And people older than 60 years of age have a greater risk of gallstones.

Other risk factors include a family history of gallstones and taking hormones, such as birth control pills or estrogen.

Take heart. There are some specific things you can find in your kitchen to help you avoid a gallstone attack and even prevent gallstones from forming in the first place. What you eat has a great effect on whether or not you develop gallstones.

Causes of Gall Bladder Disorders

Acute and Intermittent Pain in the Abdomen

The main symptom of gall-bladder disease is acute or intermittent pain in the abdomen. Indigestion, gas, a feeling of fullness after meals, constipation, and nausea are the other usual symptoms. Intolerance to fats, dizziness, jaundice, anaemia, acne, and other lesions may also occur. The main cause of gall-bladder disorders is overnutrition resulting from excessive intake of refined carbohydrates, especially sugar.

Overnutrition also leads to increased cholesterol secretion. Meals rich in fats may cause an attack of gall-bladder pain or gallstone colic. Other causes are chronic constipation, poor health, hereditary factors, and stress. The Chinese relate gall-bladder disorders with the emotion of anger.

Home Remedies for Gall Bladder Disorders

Gall Bladder treatment using Beet

Fresh juice of beets, and the juices of carrot and cucumber in quantities of 100 ml each, are one of the finest cleansers of the gall-bladder. This combined juice has proved beneficial in the treatment of all disorders related to this organ, and should be taken twice daily.

Gall Bladder Disorder treatment using Pear

The pear is another excellent remedy for gall-bladder disorders. The fruit or its juice should he taken liberally by the patient with beneficial results. It exercises a special healing effect on all gall-bladder disorders, including gallstones.

Gall Bladder treatment using Chicory

The flowers, seeds, and roots of chicory or the endive plant are considered valuable in gall-bladder disorders. A decoction of about 30-60 ml of the flowers, seeds, or roots can be used three times daily with beneficial results in the treatment of these disorders. Endive or chicory juice in almost any combination promotes the secretion of bile and is, therefore, very good for both liver and gall-bladder dysfunctions.

Gall Bladder treatment using Dandelion

Dandelion has a beneficial effect on the gall bladder. About 125 ml each of the juices of dandelion and watercress should be taken twice daily. Combined with a vegetarian diet, without much sugar and starch, these juices help to make the gall¬bladder normal.

Gall Bladder treatment using Olive and Sunflower Oil

An oil cure has been advocated by some nature cure practitioners for the removal of gallstones. Raw, natural, unrefined vegetable oils of olive or sunflower are used. The procedure is to take 30 ml of vegetable oil, preferably olive oil, first thing in the morning and follow it immediately with 120 ml of grapefruit juice or lemon juice. This treatment should be taken every morning for several days, even weeks, if necessary.

Home Remedies from the Cupboard

Coffee. New studies are finding that drinking a couple of cups of java a day can prevent gallstones. One study discovered that men who drank 2 to 3 cups of regular coffee a day cut their risk of developing gallstones by 40 percent. Four cups a day reduced the risk by 45 percent. Researchers are not sure what it is about coffee that helps reduce the risk of forming gallstones, but the effect was the same whether it was cheap, store-bought instant coffee or high-priced espresso. It might be the caffeine; however, teas and soft drinks containing caffeine did not produce the same effect -- and neither did decaffeinated coffee.

High-fiber cereal. People who eat a sugary, high-fat diet probably will have more problems with their gallstones. But adding in some fiber-rich foods and avoiding the sugary snacks and fatty foods can help you keep your gallbladder healthy. Grabbing some cereal in the morning will also get something in your tummy. Studies have shown that going for long periods without eating, such as skipping breakfast, can make you more prone to getting a gallstone.

Lentils. An interesting study found that women who ate loads of lentils, nuts, beans, peas, lima beans, and oranges were more resistant to gallbladder attacks than women who didn't eat much of the stuff.

Home Remedies from the Refrigerator

Red bell pepper. Getting loads of vitamin C in your diet can help you avoid gallstones, and one red bell pepper has 95 mg of the helpful vitamin -- more than the 60 mg a day the government recommends for men and women over age 15. A recent study found that people who had more vitamin C in their blood were less likely to get the painful stones.

Salmon. Research is finding that omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish such as salmon, may help prevent gallstones.

Vegetables. Eating your veggies is a good way to ward off gallstones. One study found that vegetarian women were only half as likely to have gallstones as their carnivore counterparts. Researchers aren't sure exactly how vegetables counteract gallstones, but they believe vegetables help reduce the amount of cholesterol in bile.


More Do's and Don'ts

• Exercise! Staying active can cut your risk of developing gallstones in half.
  
• Lose some weight. Being overweight, even as little as 10 pounds, can double your risk of getting gallstones.
  
• Diet sensibly. If you are overweight, plan on shedding pounds slowly. Losing weight too fast can increase your chances of developing gallstones.
  
• Reduce your saturated fat intake. Too much fat in the diet increases your risk of gallstones. But don't cut back too drastically. You need some fat to give the gallbladder the message to empty bile. If you're trying to lose weight, don't go below 20 percent calories from fat.
  
• Eat a low fat, low-cholesterol, high-fiber diet. Multiple studies show this is your best bet for a healthy body and a healthy gallbladder.
  

Gall Bladder Disorder Diet

Smaller gallstones can usually be cleared through dietetic cure. In cases of acute gall-bladder inflammation, the patient should fast for two or three days until the acute condition is cleared. Nothing but water should be taken during this period. After the fast, the patient should take fruit and vegetable juices for a few days. Carrots, beets, grapefruit, pears, lemons or grapes may be taken in the form of juice. Thereafter, the patient should adopt a well balanced diet, with emphasis on raw and cooked vegetables, fruit and vegetable juices, and a moderate amount of fruits and seeds. Yoghurt, cottage cheese, and a tablespoon of olive oil twice a day should also be included in the diet. The patient should avoid meat, eggs, animal fats, processed and denatured foods, fried and greasy foods, refined carbohydrates, alcohol, products made With sugar and coffee, as well as spices, condiments, and pickles. The patient should eat frequent small meals rather than three large meals.

Other Gall Bladder treatment

Application of hot packs or fomentation to the upper abdominal area.

The pain of gallstone colic can be relieved by the application of hot packs or fomentation to the upper abdominal area.

Warm-water enema, Physical exercise

A warm-water enema at body temperature will help eliminate faecal acculumations if the patient is constipated. Physical exercise is also essential. Surgery becomes necessary if the gallstones are very large or in cases where they have been present for long.

Herbal Remedies for Gallstones

Gallstones occur when one of the compounds in bile, particularly cholesterol, becomes so saturated that it forms a solid. If a gallstone lodges in the bile duct, it can cause severe pain, inflammation, infection, and sometimes even jaundice due to the backup of bile.

However, there are some herbal remedies to prevent and treat gallstones. Avoiding gallstone trouble is advised, and often can be achieved by healthy eating.

About Gallstones

As with many health conditions, preventing gallstones is preferable to treating them after they have formed. Research indicates that a high-fiber, low-fat, low-cholesterol diet rich in vitamins C and E helps prevent stones from forming.

That's good news because items commonly found in simple gardens can help ward off gallstones. Vegetables and fruits, which tend to be high in fiber and vitamins, low in fat, and cholesterol free, are popular and healthy choices.

Herbal Treatments for Gallstones

In addition to preventative healthy eating, some herbs stimulate the gallbladder, promoting the flow of bile.

Dandelion and milk thistle are particularly useful. They contain bitter substances -- taraxacin in dandelion and silymarin in milk thistle -- that stimulate bile production.

Increasing the amount of bile produced decreases its concentration. And the greater volume is also more likely to flush out a stone.

These herbs can be taken as tea or tincture or eaten steamed. Trim the sharp edges off young milk thistle leaves. Mix them with dandelion greens and steam as you would spinach; you can even eat them raw.

Oregon grape enhances blood flow to the liver and increases bile production. It can be combined with dandelion and milk thistle in a tea. This blend is even more effective when mixed with herbs such as chamomile, marshmallow, and slippery elm, which have relaxing and soothing properties. This mixture will also help decrease gallbladder inflammation.

Herbal Gallstone Tea

Try this herbal tea to help ease the passing of gallstones.

• 1 teaspoon Oregon grape root
  
• 2 teaspoons marshmallow root
  
• 2 teaspoons dandelion leaves, dried (or 1 teaspoon root)
  
• 1 teaspoon peppermint
  
• 4 cups water

Simmer roots in water for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and add dandelion leaves. Let steep 15 minutes. Strain.

Drink immediately or refrigerate. Use as a tea throughout the day, preferably after meals.

Rosemary stimulates bile production, too, while also eliminating any spasms that might occur in the bile duct. It is well-known for aiding fat digestion and is often used as an herb in high-fat dishes. Its flavor helps to cut the richness of fat.

Several studies have shown concentrated mint oil capsules can, if taken for several months, help break down small gallstones. Wild yam is another herb that increases bile flow and is also said to lessen the pain of gallstones. Like rosemary, it is an antispasmodic herb.

An ultrasound is needed to definitively diagnose gallstones. A qualified health care practitioner should monitor herbal treatment of them.

Once stones have formed, they can cause urgent medical problems if they block the bile duct. In that case, surgery may be necessary.

But if surgery is not needed and the they are not serious, herbal remedies can be a healthy and effective treatment for preventing and helping with gallstones. However, eating healthily to avoid getting gallstones in the first place is always advised.